Single mom, career changer i need of advice ...

[FutureRN-JWYM]

Hello,

Just joined today but not my first time to this site. I am 32 yo, single mom of a 5 yeard old and has been unemployed for awhile now. I just think that the most practical thing for me to do right now is to go back to school so I can secure a better and more stable future for my child. So... with this decision and a limited income... I will have to swallow my pride and move back with my parents. I already have a bachelors degree ... but now I am pretty determine that I would want to become a RN but stuck with different options on how I will go about on becoming one ... my options are:

1.) Private school LVN then BSN through Indiana State Univ ---

Costly but fast. Visited 2 schools so far. I reside in the bay area, and had visited Unitek, which I wasnt really impressed with. It cost 33K, 11 months long... wasn't really impressed with the school in general based on reviews and my own experience with the visit. I also visited Carrington College in San Leandro, which cost more ... 44K and 16 month long... wasn't impressed also, not only coz of the cost but also the school looked so empty at the time I visited. Wondering if they even have any students... Have yet to check out Gurnick in Concord, have an appt next month with them ... My thoughts with private schools ... heard that new grads ... LVN even RN's are having hard time right now in the job market ... would it be worth it to go in debt if I won't be able to find a job?

2.) ASN thru a Community College --- Chabot College maybe ...

it would take longer ... maybe 2 to 4 years... and not even guaranteed coz of the lottery system that most have... plus I still have to take the pre-reqs... but it is the least expensive and it would be towards RN. Will .. hopefully ... be more competitive in the job market...

also playing with the idea of taking a CNA course through NCP College - 20 days long - before semester starts ... maybe I'll get lucky and get a job as a CNA part time while taking classes. .. at least I'll get some experience that way ...

3.) Accelerated BSN thru Samuel Merritt College ---

Cost almost 60K ... but the program is 12 months long. I would still have to take the prereqs needed to apply to the program which would take maybe an additional year or so...so total maybe 2-2 1/2 years. But it is a bachelors degree ..and my first Bachelors degree won't go in a total waste because one of the requirements to get into the program is a degree...

One way or the other ... I will become a nurse ... So I guess I'm looking for the smartest option ... any advice?

[RonnieDita]

Its such a tough decision..... Im kind of banking on the fact that the economy is horrible right now so maybe when I graduate nursing school it will pick back up.... If you think that way and can deal with the debt for a little bit, maybe just use your degree and get into the 12 month program..... Otherwise if you need to get started working quick, do the LVN program. You can always do the CC program but its going to take a long time to get there and schools are getting more and more crowded so its harder and harder to get into the pre-reqs. However, if nursing is something you really want to do you'll get there. Just weigh the pros and cons of what will work best for your family. Im going the CC route, I cant afford anything else.

[kirbycruiser]

I vote for #2

You can do this!